Protesters defy Thammasat ban and surge into football field for mega pro-democracy rally

By The Nation

 

Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

 

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters have entered Thammasat University's Tha Prachan campus in Bangkok to hold a political rally on the university's football field on Saturday (September 19).

 

At 11.40am, Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, the leader of United Front of Thammasat, one of the protest organisers, and Demonstration group leader Panupong Jadnok negotiated with university staff to open the gate.

 

When they failed in their efforts, Panupong shouted to staff inside the university that "This university belongs to the people" Many people who had gathered for the rally told the leaders to tear down the gate.

 

At 12.05pm, the protesters managed to enter the university compound after the door beside the gate was opened.

 

Meanwhile Panupong and his supporters opened the gate for the protesters, shouting that he would take responsibility for whatever happened today before leading people to the university's football field.

 

Panupong told media that they would banish dictatorship and bring democracy back, even if he had to face imprisonment for his mission.

 

"The university staff's move to prevent the rally has violated the Constitution," he said, adding that the rally may continue until Sunday if the staff continued to stop them.

"We understand that the staff must obey their commanders' orders, but the commanders should pay attention to the rights of the youth rather than their positions because we are coming in peace," he added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30394815

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-09-20

 

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Must be a few "Half-crowns - Six-penny pieces" twitching in the government at the moment ..............LOL 

Good luck to the protesters who have braved the rain.  Really hope they can achieve something.

Imagine how many more might have been there had it not been for the weather disrupting travel.

I wish them luck. The response of the authorities thus far has been pathetic.

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

These protests are a great start. So long as they remain peaceful, the movement should gain momentum and be more difficult for the government to justify stopping.

Just now, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

I think that was always the governments plan..........

2 minutes ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

A bit like the B.T.S., and other public transport, the difference being, one is in a safer open air environment.

Not seen any 'reported' spikes from the B.T.S. carriages, with people crammed in like sardines.

If there's no Covid in Thailand thanks to our esteemed leader, then there's no danger from large crowds.

Let them protest.

Just as there was a glimmer of hope for this country (borders opening one day soon), we go and screw things up again with what could be a large-scale and drawn-out protest.

But, for the long-term benefits, I tend to think it's all good.

18 minutes ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

A spike from 0 to well, hmmm 0 ?

Unless, of course, the government is lying to us about case numbers ?

39 minutes ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

Change the record. BTS, MRT, malls, markets, schools, all busy, no social distancing. Spiking in cases? Thought not. Then again doing proper testing would help identify the truth. But some truths are inconvenient...

Edited September 20, 20205 yr by pkrv
Extra comment.

55 minutes ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

Did your hero ask you to post this, even though he has assured us Thailand is CV19 free? 

24 minutes ago, sungod said:

...thousands turn up at a rally from all over the country not wearing them...

And your claim that no masks are being worn is based on what? From the embedded pictures and the news on the television, the vast majority of people there are wearing masks and a surprisingly large proportion of them are actually wearing them correctly.

4 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

And your claim that no masks are being worn is based on what? From the embedded pictures and the news on the television, the vast majority of people there are wearing masks and a surprisingly large proportion of them are actually wearing them correctly.

based on photos, many are not.

 

Good to lead by example.

 

 

 

I hope they were all using Thai Chana so if there is an outbreak they can be contact traced...

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

If that were to happen...how would it come about?

Your guys keep telling us again anad again over and over, that there are no cases of COVID inside Thailand!

Interesting, huh?!

Outside in the open air masks are most probably not necessary.  Inside an air-conditioned store or supermarket most definitely.  Which raises the question in my mind...why were the likes of 7/11 and Makro and Big C open earlier in the year but open air markets were shut??? 

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

I think the only spike we will see will be the one that this government is impaled on. Rectum first.

36 minutes ago, sungod said:

based on photos, many are not.

 

Good to lead by example.

 

 

 

After being unable to counter the fact that the vast majority of media reporting indicates that the vast majority in attendance were wearing masks, now it's a case of the leadership, all sixteen of them, setting a bad example?

 

I wonder where you are going to take us next on this magical mystery tour?

I'm not disputing that many were wearing masks, I'm pointing out many were not too and in close confines.

 

I think its you off with the fairies on your own little tour.

19 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I wonder where you are going to take us next on this magical mystery tour?

You go out and give them all a big, warm hug, Long Time!

48 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

Outside in the open air masks are most probably not necessary.  Inside an air-conditioned store or supermarket most definitely.  Which raises the question in my mind...why were the likes of 7/11 and Makro and Big C open earlier in the year but open air markets were shut??? 

Come on Grumpy John, 7/11, Makro and Big C were able to muster rather more "influence", and direct it to the people who matter, than the lady selling fruit in the local market...

2 hours ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

And the first person to be thrown under the bus to appease the protesters? That’s right........Prayut. It will be his final idiotic use. 
 

But as the protesters confirmed, he’s just a lapdog. 

2 hours ago, Antonymous said:

These protests are a great start. So long as they remain peaceful, the movement should gain momentum and be more difficult for the government to justify stopping.

 

Great start of what? Honestly, not even sure what they are actually protesting about at the moment. Kinda doubt that them or their idols coming to power would change things much or imply a vast improvement in regard to Thailand's democracy.

Congratulations to the Thai youth for sending a message and in a peaceful manner.

Well done.

5 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Great start of what? Honestly, not even sure what they are actually protesting about at the moment. Kinda doubt that them or their idols coming to power would change things much or imply a vast improvement in regard to Thailand's democracy.

You’re not sure what they’re protesting about? How about reading their demands. They’re there for all to see and they’re perfectly clear . If you don’t understand something that’s easily researched, don’t make yourself look silly by saying you don’t understand it. 

Edited September 20, 20205 yr by rkidlad

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

According to your beloved leader there is no virus in Thailand

Now gov will say detected 1 covid from protest. We going in to 2 weeks lockdown to flatten the curve. 

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

so much for social distancing ...... I am sure we'll see a spike in COVID19 ....

only themselves to blame. 

We suppose you would like it Mr the official defender of the general ????

...but I think and especially I hope you that you will be disappointed.

I am happy to see that the red shirts joined in the protest yesterday, because widespread support is necessary for reform.